Wet Application Method

This is the recommended method of application that should be used wherever possible. Extreme caution is advised if contemplating using EASYJoint without water.

How to Use EASYJoint—Wet Application Method (Preferred Method)

Whilst it is possible to apply EASYJoint dry, as described elsewhere in this publication, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to lay it wet. There are exceptions to this; when temperatures are set to fall to 0˚ C before the joint has drained of water or where a strongly mixed foundation has been used, for say driveways etc.

Items required:

• Appropriate quantity of EASYJoint
• Hose with spray attachment
• Medium bristle broom
• Squeegee (optional)
• Jointing Iron (optional)

Step 1 Wet the paving for a minimum of 10 minutes. Do not shortcut this process or worry if water settles in the joints - it will be displaced when the EASYJoint is swept in. The wetter the surface the better the end result - particularly with absorbent paving materials such as many varieties of natural stone.

Step 2 Open one bag and pour the contents onto the paving. If using the product for the first time, start with small quantities of EASYJoint, sufficient to work in a few minutes. NOTE. Do not pile up or leave EASYJoint standing in one spot, nor allow the paving to dry out with the compound on its surface. 

Step 3 Spread the EASYJoint across the surface with a squeegee or broom, allowing it to fall into the joints. TIP. Keep your eye on the areas where you are not working and ensure they remain very wet at all times. This is particularly important in warm or hot weather conditions.

Step 4 Once you have opened and spread one or two tubs, using a hose on a “fan” or “spray” setting, flush the compound into the joints to ensure it fully settles to the bottom. Again, do not worry about the amount of water being used. You can do this as often as you like—after each tub is fine. Remember - the wetter the better!

Step 5 Top up any sagging joints with more EASYJo in t. Don’t be concerned about the mess for you are about to wash it in again with more water, repeating the process in Step 4. Continue to “top up” and “wash in” until you are satisfied. NOTE. Keep all of the paving soaking wet all of the time. 

Step 6 Once all the joints are uniformly filled to within 1 or 2 millimetres of the surface of the paving, go over the entire area you have worked on and apply a final gentle spray of water to wash away any final traces of compound from the surface. This also assists to obtain a relatively smooth finish to the joint, although it will have a slightly coarse texture. Should any fine traces of sand remain do not sweep them away yet. Wait until the joints of the set are hard, (see Step 7).

Step 7 Optional. For a finer texture to the joint, "point" (otherwise known as “strike”) the compound with a suitable jointing iron or similar tool. This exercise should be carried out when the water has drained away and the paving surface has started to dry out. Ensure that the joint is not too soft and soggy — in this way the final “shape” of the joint will remain intact as it dries hard. Finally, once the joint has set hard, a final sweep across the paving with a stiff broom, working diagonally to the joints, will remove any last traces of EASYJoint from the paving, including any that is left proud around the joint from the pointing exercise.

Dry Application Method

Step 1. Prior to using EASYJoint seal the paving surface and the joints with an appropriate sealant for the type of paving you are working with. In most instances, our own EASYSealSSP can be used. Please refer to the website www.easyseal.eu for more advice. If considering EASYSealSSP ensure you follow the instructions supplied with that product. It is important that the edges as well as the surface of the paving are properly sealed because the natural oils inherent in the EASYJoint can be absorbed into the paving not only from the surface but also from the edges along the joints. Sealing the paving material prior to installation (before it is laid) will give the best result. If however, that is not possible, then ensure the paving edges are sealed by applying the sealant with a low-pressure garden sprayer. This is a two-stage operation. First, run the nozzle of the spraying hose along the inside of the joint, fanning the liquid to ensure a coat is applied along both edges before secondly, applying a coat to the paving surface. We strongly recommend you apply two coats in the appropriate manner and timings as described in the instructions supplied with your sealant

Step 2. Allow the sealant to properly cure for at least 48 hours then test a small inconspicuous area before completing step 3 below. Complete the test by placing a spoonful of EASYJoint onto the surface of the sealed paving and letting it stand for 5 minutes before removing it. Wash the paving surface to remove any surface oil traces. When dry there should be no visible trace of the EASYJoint.

Step 3. Once the sealant has cured, dampen the surface using a little water — do not allow water to settle in the joints. Follow steps 2 & 3 of the Wet Application Method as described on pages 4 & 5. More attention should be given to compacting the joints as without water to assist it is possible for the EASYJoint not to fully fill the joint, resulting in a weaker joint. Use a pointing trowel or similar tool to aid compaction.

Step 4. Sweep any excess EASYJoint from the surface of the paving. A little water may be used to assist the cleaning process but NOT MUCH; it is not desirable to have the joints filled with water.

Step 5. As with the Wet Application Method, if a fine texture to the joint is required, "strike" the compound with a suitable tool (see page 4 Step 7).

Step 6. If you have used the Dry Application Method because you are working with an impermeable base then you must protect the joint from rainfall for at least 36 hours or until the joint has set (if sooner), otherwise, you risk the problems detailed earlier on this page.

Important Note

The same rules apply when working with porcelain paving tiles as with working with stone or concrete. However, the
base on which the porcelain is laid must be permeable. If the base is non-permeable then alternative products should be used. Less water is needed when applying EASYJoint to porcelain paving as there is little risk of residue staining however, users will find that a small amount of water, added to form it into a slurry, will make it easier for the operator to fill the joints properly.

When applying to porcelain, in order to ensure an effective joint, the operator MUST iron the joint to further aid
compaction of the compound.